Local heroes, local support

"Question:
“What did MSA do during the mine rescue efforts for the Quecreek 9 miners?”

Answers:
“Despite the extensive news coverage, there was not a whole lot going on except for the hole being drilled in the ground,” reported MSA sales rep Larry Peters, who covers Somerset County, Pa., which is about 1½ hours from MSA Headquarters.

“I know all those people and called them to offer any level of MSA help they needed. It was an engineering exercise, and they did not need MSA’s assistance on the scene. There was an Ultralight™ cap lamp hanging down in the rescue capsule . . . Everyone carries self-rescuers [emergency respirators], some of which were MSA’s.”

John Hierbaum, product manager for mining products, agreed. “MSA asked if we could do anything, but they didn’t need us. Most of the activity was related to engineering. Miners, engineers, MSHA government officials, and rescuers alike were equipped with the protective gear they usually use. Some wore MSA’s UltralightCap Lamps and Comfo® mining caps. Newspaper photos showed that many on-site workers wore MSA’s V-Gard® Caps.”

Rick Hartman, an instrument product manager, added, “We were told that the FiveStar® Alarm was used in the rescue capsule.”

Mine Safety Appliances Company was founded in 1914 to play a primary role in mine safety and rescue operations. What a joy to find that everyone involved in this heart-stopping mine ordeal already HAD protection! So, MSA employees simply watched, prayed, and rejoiced along with the rest of America, as the nine miners returned to daylight.